On Your Bike

issue 01 | free

20 reasons why cycling will improve the way you live

WIN Bicycles for whole familyHow to buy the perfect bike

10 scenic ride routesCycle fashion

Fix that flat

TH

E CYC

LING

LIFESTYLE M

AGA

ZINE

w

ww.bikeradar.com

issue 01 | free

OYB01.cover.indd 1 7/13/12 12:08 PM

26

Let's get out there/ Contents

Life Cycle08 LIFE IS FOR RIDING20 reasons to get on your bike

06 REAL RIDERSMeet cyclists just like you

12 CYCLE CELEBRITYCountyfile's Ellie Harrison

16 COMPETITIONWin bikes for the whole family

Bikes & Gear14 CASUAL WEARFashion with bike-friendly features

18 RIDE WEARLook and feel good in the saddle

24 HELMETSEight ways to protect your head

29 THE BIKESBicycles for every kind of rider

21 CYCLE ESSENTIALSMust-have bike bits

Cycle Know-how26 BUYING GUIDEHow to buy your perfect bike

34 MAPS AND RIDESTen routes for you to try

42 RIDE NUTRITIONStay nourished on your ride

44 FIX THAT PUNCTUREFlats fixed the easy way

46 WHERE ELSE TO GOWant to take your cycling further?

On the CoverRiders Mike Smith, Wiesia Kuczaj Bikes Ridgeback Flight 02,Saracen Urban X1Photo Grant Robinson

02

24

2929

26

02

2414

4208

34

01 | ON YOUR BIKE

42

EditorRichard Owen

[email protected] 01225 822737

Art Editor Carl MilliganContributors Cormac Jordan, Andrew Leung,

Simon Withers, Jesse Wild, James Looker, Dave Caudery, Simon Lees, Grant Robinson, Robert M Ball,

The Artworks

AdvertisingJames Hamilton

[email protected] 01225 732311

Publishing Group Art Editor Matthew Hunkin

Creative Director Robin AbbottEditorial Director Jim DouglasPublisher Dave Clutterbuck

Group Publishing Director Richard Schofield

Future Publishing Ltd, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath, BA1 2BW

Future plc is a public company quoted on the London Stock Exchange

(symbol: FUTR) www.futureplc.comChief Executive Mark Wood

Non-executive Chairman Peter AllenGroup Finance Director Graham Harding

Tel +44 (0)207 042 4000 (London) Tel +44 (0)1225 442 244 (Bath)

© Future Publishing Limited 2012. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Future Publishing Limited (company number 2008885) is registered in England and Wales. The registered offi ce of Future Publishing Limited is at Beauford Court, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath BA1 2BW. All information contained in this magazine is for information only and is, as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press. Future cannot accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such information. Readers are advised to contact manufacturers and retailers directly with regard to the price of products/services referred to in this magazine. If you submit unsolicited material to us, you automatically grant Future a licence to publish your submission in whole or in part in all editions of the magazine, including licensed editions worldwide and in any physical or digital format throughout the world. Any material you submit is sent at your risk and, although every care is taken, neither Future nor its employees, agents or subcontractors shall be liable for loss or damage.

Richard Owen Editor

WelcomeCycling is the really simple way

to achieve health and fitness benefits, save money, help the environment and what's more - it's loads of fun! Increasing amounts of us Britons are spending more time on two wheels than ever before – over two million new cyclists took to the roads in 2011. With more people riding, we're seeing better provision for cyclists. Whether it be new traffic-free routes, additional city bike hire schemes, improved road layouts, or simply increasing amounts of considerate drivers, it's all good news for us!

OYB01.intro.indd 1 7/13/12 12:05 PM

9000

Life Cycle \ Riding news and more

ON YOUR BIKE | ISSUE 01

FEMALE-FRIENDLY

6

Ride the Breeze TRACK LIST

Go faster food

Want to share your passion for cycling with other women, or join fellow females on relaxed rides? Then check out Breeze (www.goskyride.com/breeze) to find out about Breeze rides and events in your area. Breeze also campaigns to make cycling more accessible to women through hire schemes, female-friendly bike shops and more.

Tour de France – Kraftwerk

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Bicyclesong

Ride the Iron Horse – BMX Bandits

Pedalpusher – Stereophonics

My Kind of Guy – Kaiser Chiefs

*Not including Bicycle Race by Queen – it’s way too obvious.

As a general rule, cyclists should aim to eat a diet consisting of around 60% carbohydrates – for energy, 20% protein – for muscle strength and repair and 20% unsaturated fats – to promote cardiovascular health.Use the rule of thirds and divide a 10-inch plate up equally between a starchy food e.g. boiled potatoes, salad or vegetables, and meat, fish or a vegetarian protein.

Welsh Bike Routes getthe Green LightThe cycling and walking experience is about to get a whole lot better for at least one part of the United Kingdom. A network of traffic-free pedestrian and cycle routes connecting hospitals, schools and shopping centres will be built throughout Wales. The Active Travel bill will make it a legal requirement for local councils to provide provision to cycle or walk short journeys away from motorised traffic. The bill received a warm reception from Welsh Assembly ministers and is expected to pass into law in 2013.

FORWARD THINKING

EAT YOURSELF QUICKER

BIKE HUBWorks with iOS, AndroidDiscover low-traffic or no-traffic cycling routes, as well as nearby bike shops | Price Free

STRAVAWorks with iOS, AndroidAllows you to map your rides and rank your best section times against other riders | Price Free

BIKE DOCTORWorks with iOS, AndroidDiagnose and cure almost any ailment that could befall your trusty iron horse | Price £3

5 SONGS ABOUT CYCLING*

Wales leads the way with a national traffi c-free route plan

ILLU

STR

AT

ION

: RO

BE

RT

M B

AL

L T

HE

AR

TW

OR

KS

8.3 million

Of the UK population are regular* cyclists

*cycling once a month or more

A sticky solution

From broken drivetrains to nasty tear punctures,

a small length of duct tape will get you home

after many a mishap

TOP CYCLING APPS

OYB01.news.indd 6 7/13/12 12:06 PM

TOP TIPS FOR A HAPPY BIKEGive your bike a bit of love now and again and it will return it in spades.

.

SQUEAKY CLEANKeep your chain well-lubed and free from gunge.

WHEELIE GOODEnsure your wheels are true and check for any loose spokes.

RUBBER SOULRegularly check your tyres for embedded thorns, stones and glass.

UNDER PRESSUREKeep your tyres fully inflated. Check the tyre wall for the max pressure.

CYCLE KNOW-HOW If unsure, get advice at your local bike shop!

Riding news and more / Life Cycle

ISSUE 01 | ON YOUR BIKE

7

Real RidersA mother turned trans-Euro rider, and the lorry driver

who swapped eighteen wheels for two

Age 41 Location Bath Work Ad manager and mother of two Years riding 10 months! Bike Focus Cayo Evo 1

I started riding last September, when I bought a bright pink Brompton folding bike through the Cycle to Work scheme. Cycling cut down my daily commute from 20 minutes by car, to 10 minutes by bike, and I save money!

Fitting in cycle training, work and my family is tricky, but my husband is great and looks after the children when I’m out on my bike. The state of the house is the thing that suffers, which is hard as I don’t like to let standards slip.Despite not having ever ridden a road bike until January, I have just completed a ride from London to Paris. It was incredibly challenging both physically and mentally, long days in the saddle and the weather on day two was hideous! The support given from the Hot Chillee team was amazing and arriving in Paris on closed roads was unbelievable!I already wish I could do it all again!

Apart from running after the kids, I didn’t do any exercise until I began cycling. Since then, I’ve toned up, I’m healthier, fitter and feel stronger. I’m finally losing the babyweight I’ve carried for five years since my daughter was born!I love the feeling of cycling. Away from the stresses of everyday life. I feel strong, fit and completely free.

Age 43 Location Sheffield Work Community liaison officer Years riding 20 yearsBike Focus Planet 11

Cycling has been my main means of transport for about seven years.I wanted to lose weight, get fitter, save money and burn less fossil fuel, so cycling to work was the thing that ticked all those boxes.As I got fitter and more confident, I started doing 20 to 30 mile leisure rides in the Peak District, then built up to longer cycle tours. Last year I cycled the route of the River Rhine, starting in Cologne and riding to Switzerland. It was 380 miles in all, which took me a week to complete. The cycle set-up is really good over there, for most of the tour I was able to ride on traffic-free routes, with campsites positioned close by.I drove HGV lorries part-time when I was at university. As a lorry driver you are motivated by a different set of rules and you just see cyclists as an obstacle slowing you down, rather than a fellow traveller.A good HGV driver should take special notice of cyclists, but as there are lots of big blind spots on a wagon, cyclists can easily disappear from view. My top tip for cyclists is to make eye contact with drivers, so

they register that you are a another human being. I smile

at bus and lorry drivers when stopping at lights, and I’m convinced that they give me more consideration because

of this.

ILLU

STR

AT

ION

: AN

TH

ON

Y C

ALV

ER

T

Claire Hawkins Matthew Rush

Bicycle?The first commercially

successful, two-wheeled, human-propelled riding machine was made in 1818. It was known as a

velocipede

OYB01.news.indd 7 7/13/12 12:07 PM

Life Cycle \ Life is for riding


8

1 | GO GREENERWalking and cycling much more for local journeys would reduce both emissions and our dependence on oil. Nearly a quarter of the UK’s CO2 emissions come from road transport, and this figure is expected to grow. Transport is on its way to overtaking industry as the major contributor to CO2 emissions in the UK and private motor vehicles generate nearly 43 per cent of carbon emissions from transport.

2 | RIDE EVERYWHERE23 per cent of car trips are less than two miles (a distance easily cycled in 15 minutes) and 56 per cent are less than five miles, so there are plenty of opportunities

for increased cycling. Huzzah!

3 | BEAT THE TAXMAN Since 2005, more than 100,000 people have benefited from the Cycle to Work scheme – the government’s tax-free bike initiative!

4 | CUT YOUR COSTS London Travelcard, zones one and two: nearly £30 a week. Park and ride bus fare: £50 a month. Cost of running a second car: over £7,000 a year (based on a £10,000 car driving 10,000 miles). With cycling you can slash those travel costs as well as saving money on gym membership.

5 | GET TO WORK FASTER Not only is cycling to work cheaper and greener than the alternatives, if you commute by bike in the UK’s major cities you’ll get to work in half the time of cars, according to research by Citroën. In fact, if you drive for an hour in Cardiff’s rush hour, you’ll average just 7mph, compared to averaging around 12-15mph while cycling.

6 | SLEEP MORE DEEPLY

Stanford University School of Medicine researchers asked insomnia sufferers to cycle for 20-30 minutes every other day. The result? The time that the insomniacs took to fall asleep was reduced by half, and the time they spent asleep increased by almost an hour. “Exercising outside exposes you to daylight,” explains Professor Jim Horne from Loughborough University’s Sleep Research Centre. “This helps get your circadian rhythm back in sync and rids your body of cortisol, the stress hormone that can prevent deep, regenerative sleep.”

7 | LOOK YOUNGER The Stanford University boffins have also found that cycling regularly can protect your skin against the harmful effects of ultra violet (UV) radiation and reduce the signs of ageing. Don’t forget to slap on the factor 30 before you head out, though.

8 | INCREASE YOUR BRAIN POWER Researchers from Illinois University found that a five per cent improvement in cardio-respiratory fitness from cycling led to an improvement of up to 15 per cent in mental tests. That’s because cycling helps to build

Cycling won’t just help your bank balance – it can improve your health and minimise your impact on the environment too. Here are some of

the best reasons to get out on your bike

Reasons to Ride

Above: Riding to work can be quicker, cheaper, healthier, greener and leave you looking younger

PH

OT

O: G

EO

FF

WA

UG

H

PH

OT

O: ©

MO

TO

FIS

H IM

AG

ES/

CO

RB

IS

OYB01.reasons.indd 8 7/13/12 12:09 PM

Life is for riding / Life Cycle

ISSUE 01 | ON YOUR BIKEFind your local ride at www.goskyride.com

9

new brain cells in the hippocampus – the region that’s responsible for memory. “It boosts blood flow and oxygen to the brain, which fires and regenerates receptors, explaining how exercise helps ward off Alzheimer’s,” says the study’s author, Professor Arthur Kramer.

9 | BURN MORE FAT Sports physiologists have discovered that the body’s metabolic rate – the efficiency with which it burns calories and fat – is not

only raised during a ride, but also for several hours afterwards. “Even after cycling for 30 minutes, you could be burning a higher amount of total calories for a few hours after you stop,” says sports physiologist Mark Simpson of Loughborough University.

10 | BEAT ILLNESS Forget apples, riding is the way to keep the doctor at bay. “Moderate exercise makes immune cells more active, so they’re ready

to fight off infection,” says Cath Collins, dietician at St George’s Hospital in London.

11 | AVOID POLLUTION You’d think a city cyclist would suck up much more pollution than the drivers and passengers in the vehicles chucking out the noxious gases. Not so, according to a study carried out by Imperial College London. Researchers found that passengers in buses, taxis and cars inhaled substantially more pollution than cyclists and pedestrians!

PH

OT

O: G

EO

FF

WA

UG

H


Life Cycle \ Life is for riding

ON YOUR BIKE | ISSUE 01ON YOUR BIKE | ISSUE 01

1010

12 | IT’S GOOD BREEDING A ‘bun in the oven’ could benefit from your riding as much as you. Research from Michigan University, shows mums-to-be who exercise regularly during pregnancy have an easier and less complicated labour, recover faster and enjoy better mood throughout the nine months. Your baby also has a 50 per cent lower chance of becoming obese and enjoys better in-utero neurodevelopment. “There’s no doubt that exercise such as cycling during pregnancy helps to condition the mother and protect the foetus,” says Patrick O’Brien, a spokesman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

13 | HEAL YOUR HEART Studies from Purdue University in the US have shown that regular cycling can cut your risk of heart disease by half. And, according to the BHF, around 10,000 fatal heart attacks could be avoided each year if people kept fitter. Cycling just 20 miles a week reduces your risk of heart disease to less than half that of those who take no exercise, it says.

14 | IMPROVE YOUR SEX LIFE Being physically active improves your vascular health – which boosts your

sex drive, according to experts in the US. A study from Cornell University concluded that male athletes have the sexual prowess of men two to five years younger, with physically fit women delaying the menopause by a similar length of time.

15 | BOOST YOUR BELLOWS While cycling, an adult generally uses 10 times the oxygen they would need to sit in front of the TV for the same period. Even better, regular cycling will help strengthen your cardiovascular system, enabling your heart and lungs to work more efficiently and getting more oxygen where it’s needed, quicker. This means you can do more exercise for less effort. Sound good?

16 | YOUR BOSS WILL LOVE YOU No, we don’t mean that your Lycra-clad buttocks will entice your superiors into an office romance. A study of 200 people carried out by the University of Bristol found that employees who exercised before work or at lunchtime improved their time and workload management. Not only that, it was also found to boost their motivation and their ability to deal with stress!

17 | SAVE THE PLANET It takes around five per cent of the materials and energy used to make a car to build a bike, and a bike produces zero pollution!

18 | ENJOY HEALTHY FAMILY TIME Cycling is an activity the whole family can do together. The smallest tyke can clamber into a bike seat or tow-along buggy, and there’s nothing to stop grandparents joining in, too. Studies have found that, unsurprisingly, kids are influenced by their parents’ exercise choices. Put simply, if your kids see you riding regularly, they’ll think it’s normal and want to follow your example!

19 | LIVE LONGER King’s College London compared over 2,400 identical twins and found that those who did the equivalent of three 45-minute rides a week were nine years ‘biologically younger’.

20 | HELP OTHERS Many cyclists turn their health, fitness and determination into fund-raising efforts for the less fortunate. The London to Brighton bike ride has raised over £40 million for the British Heart Foundation since 1980, and countless other rides contribute to worthy causes.

Above: Cycling is good for your heart, lungs... and your sex life

Below: Spend more time with your family and have healthier kids. Cycling's great!

PH

OT

O: D

AN

MIL

NE

R

PH

OT

O: S

TE

VE

BE

HR

/ST

OC

KF

ILE


>> | SCOTT-SPORTS.COM

www.scott-sports.com/dealers/locator

FIND YOUR NEAREST SCOTT STOCKIST,VISIT OUR DEALER LOCATOR.www.scott-sports.com/dealers/locator

FIND YOUR NEAREST SCOTT STOCKIST,VISIT OUR DEALER LOCATOR.

We’ve got a range of bikes for everyone this summer.

GETFITHAVE FUN

RIDEYOURBIKE

www.scott-sports.com/dealers/locator

FIND YOUR NEAREST SCOTT STOCKIST,VISIT OUR DEALER LOCATOR.

We’ve got a range of bikes for everyone this summer.

© SCOTT SPORTS SA 2012© SCOTT SPORTS SA 2012© SCOTT SPORTS SA 2012

Life Cycle \ Ellie Harrison


Ellie HarrisonPresenter, geographer, naturalist and motherEllie is best known as member of the BBC Countryfile team. She has also appeared on the ONE Show, Wild About Your Garden and many others.

1212

“ ”

I started cycling when I was about 21, but now I’ve been cycling for the past six years. My first bike was a Raleigh

with a back pedal coaster brake, we lived at the top of a steep hill and one day I decided to ride down it freewheeling from top to bottom, I ended up going straight into a wall at the bottom and had this gorgeous scab right across my face for weeks.

I cycled as a way of commuting in London for a while. It was a 100 per cent ‘yes’ from people in London who’d had a run-in with motorists which was quite nerve-racking, but it makes that enormous city so much smaller by bike and you’re not beholden to the tube, which is a real relief.

I’ve had a Specialized Dolce for five or six years with as little pink as I could get on it – it’s got a teeny piece of pink – and I really like it. Why do they always put pastel colours on girls’ kit?

Road riding is my thing. In 2008-9 we lived in New York and did a lot of riding Upstate in the massive expanses, putting in good distances. I had my first fall on SPD pedals there – you only ever do that once!

Cycling appeals to me as a way to explore the outdoors because you can go much further distances than you can on foot. It’s a silent way of gliding through the countryside, and great for seeing birdlife. It’s a great geographer’s mode of transport.

Cycling fits in well around my working life, but less well around my family life, as I’ve got two really young kids. Getting the chance to go out is now a total luxury which I take whenever I can, as I don’t really get the big days out any more.

I’m friends with Chris Beardshaw the TV gardener – and he’s doing a massive race this year, 500 miles or

something. He’s looking super-skinny from all this training – he’s my only celebrity cycling buddy. I don’t think any of the Countryfile crew ride though. I’m the ‘Countryfile Cyclist’ dammit! It’s my title!

I live and ride in the Stroud Valley now, which is great. There's lots of 1in7 climbs, so plenty of lung-busting short, sharp shocks – it’s rare to have more than a few minutes on the flat here. I’m hoping to do the Etape next year, I want to complete it in a good way – not just bumble up there! The

plan is to complete some training rides in France, before riding the real thing.

Countryfi le's Ellie Harrison on her love of cycling, fi tting in riding around her kids and other TV cycling celebrities

MOST LIKE TO RIDE WITH Pro riders, Lance Armstrong or Chris Hoy. I’d get loaded up with so many top cycling tips.

FAVOURITE PLACE TO CYCLE Upstate New York – such different scenery, such amazing landscapes.

BEST THING ABOUT CYCLINGFeels like it’s just you and your bike and you can go enormous distances, without relying on petrol or massive amounts of kit. It’s the freedom, the time away, the head space. Walking’s great, but the landscape doesn’t change very quickly – cycling, you really get to suck it up at the right pace.

RIDING ADVICETry to avoid wearing any flappy trouser legs, but you don’t have to be fully decked out in Lycra from head to toe!

Why do they always put pastel colourson girls' kit?

plan is to complete some training rides in France, before riding the real thing.

Quickfire Q&A

OYB01.interview.indd 12 7/13/12 12:08 PM

Distributedby

www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk/yepp

SAFTEY - 5 points harnesswith user friendly buckle safely secures the child to the seat

COMFORT - Flexible rubber foammaterial acts as a shock absorber &makes for avery comfortable ride

EASYTOUSE - Quick and simple to snap into place and detach

AWARDWINNINGDESIGNS -

Winner 2009

Dutch DesignAward 2009

- Lightweight and easy to clean

YEPP Childseats aredesigned to keepyour child safe & lovetheir ride with you

Front seat

Rear seat

Bike CasualStreet fashion with covert cycle-centric features

1 AQUAPHOBIC JACKET Surface Is this the most stylish waterproof jacket ever? £119.99 www.surface-clothing.com 2 WINDPROOF SHIRT Rapha Subtly styled shirt that’s both windproof and showerproof. £130 www.rapha.cc 3 JEANS Rapha Fast drying, stretchable and they sport a reflective logo inside the right leg. £130 www.rapha.cc 4 DISTRICT SHOES DZR Wear on and off your bike. SPD pedal-compatible. £75 www.alwaysriding.co.uk

TOP DOWN: PHONE IN SICK T-SHIRT Morvelo Loads of different bike-friendly tees in a huge range of styles and colours. £22 www.morvelo.com | BIKE FORMULA T-SHIRT Howies Heavyweight 100 per cent organic cotton (which costs more to produce) and new monthly designs. £25 www.howies.co.uk | RIDE EVERYTHING T-SHIRT Morvelo Huge range of designs and colours. £22 www.morvelo.com

d’Azur Weekender bag Basil Water-repellent, reflective tape, 23 litre, and pannier- compatible. £79.99 www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk

5 BOLTED VINNY DIRT T-SHIRT Fox Heavyweight tee sporting the iconic Fox logo. £24.99 www.foxeurope.com 6 MTB SOFTSHELL Bontrager Snug fitting, windproof and showerproof £89.99 www.bontrager.com 7 3/4 LENGTH SHORTS Rapha Slim fit, breathable, with a reinforced seat panel for durability. £120 www.rapha.cc 8 ONCORE 6.0 Nike Feature a stiff and grippy sole that works very well with flat pedals. £55 www.nike.com

FLIPFLIP Soho London If full hi-viz isn’t for you, this eyecatching pocket flap is a clever alternative. Price £16.95 www.flipflip.co.uk

L-R: AERATOR Defeet £7.99 www.i-ride.co.uk | ARGYLL Endura £12.99 www.endura.co.uk | SUMMER CITY Rapha £15 www.rapha.cc

Gear \ Look good on and off your bike


14

SPD-u-likeSPD – ’Shimano Pedalling Dynamics’ – uses metal cleats recessed in the

soles of shoes which clip in to dedicated pedals

for efficient riding

OYB01.gear_casual.indd 14 7/13/12 12:11 PM

9 SILK SCARF Rapha Moisture resistant luxury. £50 www.rapha.cc 10 B IS FOR BIKE T-SHIRT Howies Slim fitting and organic. £25 www.howies.co.uk 11 COMMUTING JACKET Bontrager Stretch-woven, windproof fabric and reflective highlights. £59.99 www.bontrager.com 12 BOYFRIEND SHORTS Scott Sports Designed for a ride fit. £55 www.scott-sports.com 13 TOSCA SHOES DZR Leather/herringbone upper, SPD-compatible sole £99 alwaysriding.co.uk

GILMAN GLOVES Giro Stretchable backs and silicone palm grips make for a grippy, well fitting glove £29.99 www.madison.co.uk

URBAN X1 BICYCLE Saracen £369 www.saracen.co.uk | LONG SLEEVE TOP Rapha £130 www.rapha.cc | SHORTS Rapha £130 www.rapha.cc | BOW-PEEP GLOVES Ana Nichoola £24.99 www.ananichoola.co.uk | JETLAG SHOES DZR £79.99 www.alwaysriding.co.uk

Look good on and off your bike / Gear


15

OYB01.gear_casual.indd 15 7/13/12 12:11 PM

We’ve teamed up with Madison, Saracen and Giro to bring you a fantastic prize!One winner will get a set of four bikes and helmets so the whole family can enjoy the benefits and pleasures of cycling together.The Saracen Tufftrax is a great entry-level bike, and recently won best bike under £300 in MBUK Magazine. It features lightweight

alloy tubing, Suntour 63mm travel forks and a Shimano groupset. We have a men's, ladies' and jnr model of the Tufftrax to give away, along with a Sara-cen Spice (for the youngest rider in the family) to complete the set. If that wasn't enough, we're also giving away Giro helmet to go with each bike.

To enter, answer this simple question:Q Which of these materials is typi-cally not used to make bikes?A SteelB CarbonC Polystyrene

Text your answer to 87474. Tap in ONYOURBIKE followed by A, B or C and then your name and email

address. Texts cost £1 plus your standard network rate. You can also enter online at www.futurecomps.co.uk/oybfamily. If you don’t want to receive offers or promotions from Madison, Saracen, or Giro include ‘NO INFO’ at the end of your text. The closing date for entries is 1st October 2012. Good luck!

By taking part in a Competition, you agree to be bound by the Competition Rules which are summarised below but can be viewed in full at www.futuretcs.com. Late or incomplete entries will be disqualified. Entries must be submitted by an individual (not via any agency or similar) and, unless otherwise stated, are limited to one per household. The Company reserves the right in its sole discretion to substitute any prize with cash or a prize of comparable value. The Competition is open to all GB residents of 18 years and over, except employees of Future Publishing and any party involved in the competition or their households By entering a Competition you give permission to use your name, likeness and personal information in connection with the Competition and for promotional purposes. All entries will become the property of the Company upon receipt and will not be returned. If you are a winner, you may have to provide additional information. Details of winners will be available on request within three months of the closing date. If you are a winner, receipt by you of any prize is conditional upon you complying with (amongst other things) the Competition Rules. You acknowledge and agree that neither the Company nor any associated third parties shall have any liability to you in connection with your use and/or possession of your prize. The Editor's decision is final.

WIN BIKES for the whole family

* Helmet model shown for illustration purposes only

We're giving away a family set of four

Saracen bikes and Giro helmets*


Life cycle \ Competition

a men's, ladies' and jnr model of the Tufftrax to give away, along with a Sara-cen Spice (for the youngest rider in the family) to complete the set. If that

16

OYB01.com.indd 16 7/13/12 12:11 PM

Bike TechRide apparel designed to look and feel good

Techdesigned to look

L TO R: BG GEL MITT Specialized £26.99 www.specialized.com | ROULEUR MITT Madison £19.99 | FLUX XC GLOVE Madison £19.99 www.madison.co.uk

1 MILANO EVO JERSEY Ride Packed with features and a great price. £26.99 www.ridebosh.com 2 ZAP JACKET Sugoi Light, reflective and packable £70 cyclingsportsgroup.co.uk

3 FS260-PRO II SHORTS Endura Bib shorts give you maximum ride comfort and this pair is packed with features. £67.99 www.endura.co.uk

4 RL ROAD SHOES Bontrager Very light, well vented and look great. £129.99 www.bontrager.com

HELMET Giro Feature £69.99 www.madison.co.uk | SOFTSHELL JACKET Vulpine £160 www.vulpine.cc | CHARGE LR CamelBak £74.99 www.zyro.co.uk | FLUX 88 SHORTS Madison £59 www.madison.co.uk. | AM45 SPD SHOE Shimano £69.99 www.madison.co.uk

Gear \ Performance cycle wear


18

Lycra Lycra gear is designed to feel good while riding. A pair of Lycra shorts will

prevent the discomfort of your regular pants riding

up around your crotch

BG GEL MITT Specializedwww.specialized.comwww.specialized.com | ROULEUR MITT

FLUX XC GLOVEwww.madison.co.uk

OYB01.gear_tech.indd 18 7/13/12 12:14 PM

TOP TO BOTTOM: QUINDICI SOFT SOCK Castelli £17 www.saddleback.co.uk | PRO RACING SOCK Compressport £15 www.compressport.uk.com | TUSCAN SOCK Garneau £9.99 www.evanscycles.com

TOP TO BOTTOM: SELECT GLASSES BBB Comes with three sets of lenses. £59.95 www.windwave.co.uk | 006 ITA GLASSES Salice Features two pairs of interchangeable lenses. £69.95 www.salice.co.uk | JAWBONE Oakley Vented lenses help prevent steaming up. £190 www.uk.oakley.com

5 EVOLUTION JERSEY Sugoi Wicking fabric feels great against the skin £49.99 www.cyclingsportsgroup.co.uk 6 PRIMA JACKET Madison Fully waterproof with a mesh lining £59.99 www.madison.co.uk 7 SUPERSTAR SKIRT Pearl Izumi Comes with a detachable Lycra undershort. £49.99 www.madison.co.uk 8 G. EMMA SHOE Gaerne Virtually waterproof with a chunky, gripped sole. £169.95 www.hotlines-uk.com

9 URBAN SHELL JACKET Endura Totally waterproof and packs down really small. £79.99 www.endura.co.uk 10 FLUX ALL MOUNTAIN JERSEY Madison Heavyweight mesh fabric, iPod pocket and glasses wipe. £26.99 www.madison.co.uk 11 SERGEANT SHORTS Fox Relaxed fit and internal liner. £72 www.foxeurope.com 12 AM45 SPD SHOE Shimano Lace covers keep the elements out, very grippy sole. £69.99 www.madison.co.uk

13 SKYLINE JERSEY Troy Lee Designs Relaxed fit and mesh side panels. £49.99 www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk 14 MUDDY TRACKS JACKET The North Face Waterproof, with reflective detailing. £120 uk.thenorthface.com 15 PATH 3/4 LENGTH SHORTS Madison Quick-drying, hard-wearing and versatile. £39.99 www.madison.co.uk 16 SH-WM43 SHOE Shimano Reinforced sole, SPD-compatible, breathable mesh uppers. £65 www.madison.co.uk

Performance cycle wear / Gear


19

11

12

15

16

13 14

OYB01.gear_tech.indd 19 7/13/12 12:14 PM

soreen.com

Britain’s No.1 Fruity Malt LoafBritain’s No.1 Fruity Malt Loaf

The

Britain’s No.1 Fruity Malt LoafBritain’s No.1 Fruity Malt LoafBritain’ No.1 F ity Malt Loaf

The

ofofGreat British Summer

Hip hip hooray! What a great year for Great Britain.Wehopeyouenjoy your SkyRide2012.

Phew! It’s a good job Soreen malt and fruit loaves arebursting with energy to help keep you and your family

fuelled up and ready to cycle.Packed full of fruit, they’re delicious, low in fat –and a lot more squidgy than any of those saddles.

Celebrate 2012 with a limited edition Union Jack packor just get stuck in to one of our other great products.

Pumps A decent pump is an essential piece of

cycling gear. Keeping your tyres running at the proper pressure is a small but vital aspect of bike maintenance. We recommend carrying a mini pump in your bag while out riding, and keeping a full-size track pump at home

LEFT TO RIGHT: Lezyne Tech Drive HP £24.99 This telescopic aluminium mini pump allows you to pump tyres up to 120psi – if you have bulging biceps. The high-pressure barrel aims to have your tyres pumped up with fewer strokes than a regular pump. www.lezyne.com | Dawes Crane £14.99 The Crane is a telescopic mini pump made from a metal alloy. The T-shaped handle allows you to get a good grip making it easier to pump up your tyres. Fully compatible with Presta and Schrader valves. www.dawescycles.com| Zéfal Max FP50 £39.99 This muscular track pump is a solid piece of kit. It will pump up your tyres to 180psi, has a clever sliding switch to switch between valve types and the pressure gauge has a magnified section for extra precision. www.zyro.co.uk

Footwear While we wouldn’t advise wearing

fl ipfl ops or sandals, you can ride a bike in most regular footwear. That said, it’s much easier and safer to wear shoes specifi cally designed for the job. Cycling shoes have stiff er soles and lots have fi ttings to attach a metal cleat that clips your shoes securely on to your pedals

DHB C1.0 Commuter £49.99 This sturdy shoe is ideal for urban cycling, touring or even light off-road use. It can be used with flat or SPD-compatible clip-in pedals. The shoe is made from synthetic leather and has a shock absorbing rubber sole with a sturdy grip pattern. www.wiggle.co.uk

Computers There’s a wide range

of cycle computers available. Basic versions display speed and distance travelled, while more advanced GPS enabled models will give you all kinds of stats, as well as route and mapping info

TOP DOWN: Garmin Edge 200 £129.99 Track the time, distance, speed and route of your rides. View your stats on the device itself, or upload your ride to the Garmin Connect website to view in detail and share with others. Battery life is over 14 hours, and the unit is rechargeable. www.garmin.com/uk/edge-series | Cateye Strada Wireless £49.99 This wireless computer may be entry level, but it gives you speed info, distance, ride times and more. It’s easy to set up and use. Patriotic British styling is optional. www.zyro.co.uk

Essentials

EssentialsBefore heading out on your many cycling adventures, there are a few other key items you’ll need…

Footwear While we wouldn’t advise wearing While we wouldn’t advise wearing

Must-have kit/ Gear


2121

Locks If you leave your bike where others

have access to it, you’re going to need to lock it. This is an area where it’s really worth buying the best equipment you can aff ord. Good locks are not cheap, but the sturdiest ones will resist anything short of power tools, thus making all but the most determined thief look elsewhere

Abus Granit Xplus £89.99With its square shackle, hardened steel construction and double lock mechanism, this lock will resist attacks from thieves using conventional tools (boltcroppers, hammers and saws). Comes with a clever bike mounted bracket. www.zyro.co.uk

OYB01.essentials.indd 21 7/13/12 12:15 PM

Tool kits Whether it be a fl at tyre,

or a loose handlebar, there’s lots of easily fi xable problems that can occur when you’re out on your bike. Easily fi xable providing you have the right tools, that is. You won’t want to carry a set of spanners with you, so that is where bike specifi c multi tools come in

Hydration Cycling can be thirsty work. If you’re cycling

for an hour or more, it’s a very good idea to have some fl uids with you. A bottle and a bottle cage is ideal for use on the road. Head off -road though and you’ll need something like a CamelBak, which will stay with you over rough terrain

Hydration

Waterproof Jackets We certainly get our fair share

of rain here in the UK, so the chances are that sooner or later you’re going to get wet while out on your bike. Fortunately there’s a huge range of bike specifi c waterproof jackets available to keep the elements out

TOP DOWN: DHB EQ 2.5 £69.99 This mesh-lined waterproof is Teflon coated, has taped seams and sports cycle specific features. Being longer at the back will help keep spray from reaching your nether regions and there’s a waterproof rear map pocket too. www.wiggle.co.uk | Endura Pakajak £39.99 This ultra-light but fully waterproof jacket packs down into a tiny ball making it ideal to stow away in case of weather emergencies. Comes in a wide range of colours. www.endura.co.uk

ChecklistDon’t leave home without… Mini pump Puncture repair kit Spare inner tube Set of mini lights Multi tool

LEFT TO RIGHT: CamelBak Charge LR £74.99 Part rucksack, part hydration device, CamelBaks are now an almost essential part of a mountain biker’s kit. This new lightweight model cunningly stores up to two litres in its waistband so it doesn’t slop around on your back. www.zyro.co.uk | Dawes Bottle and Cage Cage £7.49 Bottle £7.49 To keep a drink within easy reach, use a bottle in a cage that fits directly on to your frame. Most bikes come with fittings for two cage mounts. This Dawes cage is made from a lightweight alloy. www.dawescycles.com

LEFT TO RIGHT: | Lezyne Mini Drive LED £49.99 Compact, stylish front light powerful enough to illuminate all but the most dimly lit of urban roads and easily fits into your pocket or bag. Ideal for commuting, it comes with a USB charger so you can recharge at work. www.lezyne.com | Blackburn Flea 2.0 USB £24.99 This tiny LED light will certainly let other road users know you're coming. Recharges in 90 minutes via a USB connection, so you will need a computer to charge it. www.madison.co.uk

TOP DOWN: Lezyne Lever Puncture Repair Kit £6.99 Coming in a CNC machined alloy case, this must be the world’s coolest puncture repair kit. Comes with self-sealing patches, tyre repair boot and tyre levers. www.lezyne.com | Lezyne Medium Caddy Loaded £34.99 This pack clips neatly under your seat and comes with a Rap 13-piece multi tool, tyre levers and a Smart Patch puncture repair kit. There’s room to pack a spare inner tube, or energy foods too. www.lezyne.com

Gear\ Must-have kit


2222

Lights Ride a bike after dark and you will need

lights – by law. It’s also a good idea to use them in low light conditions, particularly in traffi c. You’ll need to decide whether you primarily need lights to see where you’re going, or to increase your visibility to other road users

OYB01.essentials.indd 22 7/13/12 12:15 PM

ridgeback.co.uk

Built for commuting, a Ridgeback Rapide offers the perfectcombination of speed, comfort and practicality. Adaptableand stylish with the durability needed for everyday use.<

find

ade

aler

Inte

rnat

iona

ldis

trib

utor

san

dre

taile

rsso

ught

.Em

ailc

onta

ct@

ridge

back

.co.u

k

Aroundtown

Motion £269.99 Speed £299.99 Comet £329.99Velocity £399.99 Meteor £399.99 Momentum £449.99 Element £599.99

Gear \ Head cases


GearGear \ Head cases

2424

HelmetsNot compulsory – except for racing – but a good-fi tting helmet can help

protect your head

ABUS URBAN I £59.99This award-winning helmet has 21 vents for very

efficient cooling, reflective strips for safety, an insect mesh and a rear LED light. Great for city riding.www.zyro.co.uk

RALEIGH EXTREME III £25.99A bargain lid with 22 vents, this shows that you

don’t need to spend a fortune to protect your noggin. www.raleigh.co.uk

LIMAR X RIDE £59.99This great value one-size-fits-all lid has a deep

rear section, and a very effective retention system that results in a light and comfortable ride. www.todayscyclist.co.uk

GIRO REVERB £49.99Giro’s distinctly retro-looking helmet has a fabric

peak that is attached using Velcro, nine vents and is available in 11 different colours. www.madison.co.uk

CANNONDALE TERAMO £69.99Cannondale’s ponytail-friendly helmet weighs a

very impressive 245g, has 23 large vents and we like the fact that it comes with a shoulder bag too.www.cannondale.com

BELL MUNI £59.99This features an insect mesh, rear flashing lights,

fittings for extra front and rear lights, it weighs just 275g and it’s also available in hi-vis green.www.madison.co.uk

MET CAMALEONTE EXECUTIVE £49.99

Reasonably cooling in spite of only having small vents, this urban-specific lid has a small peak, reflective highlights and a push-operated rear light. www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk

SPECIALIZED S3 £110This super-light women’s lid comes with the

arguably more stringent US certification standard, while Kevlar reinforcing allows for huge cooling vents.www.specialized.com

CYCLE KNOW-HOW Make sure your helmet is a perfect fit and always do up the straps

Lid lifeOnly use mild detergent/soap and water to clean your helmet. Store it in a dry, well ventilated place

when not in use and avoid heat sources

years A well-looked-after helmet should last

this long

8

OYB01.helmets.indd 24 7/13/12 12:13 PM

thefold

urbanevolution

Bigbikehandling, small bike foldA kansi rides better than other folding bicycles. It also foldsquicker and easier than any other bike, plus it looks great too.

kansi.co.uk kansibikes @kansiUK

Bikes are versatile – you can ride to work, to the shops and round the hills on the same bike

Cycle Know-how \ Buy your perfect bike


26

The bike boom of the last few years has meant that there’s more choice than ever in your

local bike shops, and more other places selling bikes too. Let us guide you through buying the right bike.

Set your goalsDifferent bikes are intended for different types of riding and some are very specific. However, most bikes are pretty versatile – you can ride to work, to the shops and round the hills on the same bike.

One of the most common aims is simply to ride to work, opting for the bike’s traffic-nippiness and freedom. People commute on a range of bikes, but experienced commuters go for ‘tourers’ – drop-handlebar bikes with mudguards, racks and tyres that are a bit fatter than the very narrow ones favoured by racers.

Many bike commuters prefer flat handlebar hybrids. Bikes with the same large, fast-rolling wheels but with bars and controls more akin to those found on mountain bikes.

If your goals are sportier, then you should look at road racing or sportive bikes. Both have drop bars for a variety of hand positions and aerodynamics, but a sportive bike will have a more upright riding position and a wider gear range.

If you want to head out into the trails, then a mountain bike is the way to go. You need an upright, wide position for control, fat tyres with lots of grip, a big range of gears, and powerful brakes.

If you’re planning ‘mixed-mode’ trips involving your car or a train, then a folding bike may be perfect –

Stumped by the vast range of bike options? Here’s how to get the right bike for your needs

BlingingThe Aurumania

Crystal Edition bike is made with over 600

Swarovski crystals adorning a gold plated frame. A snip at £65,000

ILLU

STR

AT

ION

: RO

BE

RT

M B

AL

L |

TH

E A

RT

WO

RK

S

Buying a bike

OYB01.buying.indd 26 7/13/12 12:13 PM

ALTERNATIVES: SECOND-HAND AND INTERNET SHOPS

Many of the best deals available on bikes new and old are to be found on the internet. Now that purchasing online is done with barely a flicker of concern, you should be able to find plenty of good deals that could save you money while helping to keep the parcel delivery industry afloat. Be sure to set aside some additional cash to give your bike a service during the first month though. Unlike purchases

made at your local bike shop, you won’t able to send a web-bought bike back for its first service. Consequently, any problems or tweaks will have to be dealt with at your local shop.

You may feel that you have missed out on the personal touch if you buy online. If you don’t have an expert friend to offer advice, or you’re unsure of what you want, you could be better off with a bricks-and-mortar bike shop.

If you’re looking at buying your bike second-hand, it’s best to do so in a situation where you can wheel the bike over to a shop for a professional assessment before parting with your cash.

A bike that is too large will be ungainly

and possibly unsafe

Buy your perfect bike / Cycle Know-how


27

nothing beats their convenience or ease of parking.

Younger riders will need specific children’s bikes. In short: it’s worth buying quality if you can. Cheap kids’ bikes tend to be very heavy and poorly made. If you spend a bit more your child gets a lighter bike that will also hold its resale value.

Set your budgetReal bikes cost from around £300 or so. Bikes costing less are almost always poor quality. A £300 bike will be fairly light, so it’s easy to load into the car or get up stairs; it will have brakes and gears that work and its wheels will be straight. Most importantly, it will be durable.

You should expect to wheel a bike out of the shop fully assembled and ready to ride. Cheap bikes often have to be assembled by the buyer. This requires a level of knowledge that programmes such as Watchdog have found is beyond most people.

You’ll find good bikes in specialist bike shops. Steer clear of supermarkets, and other general stores.

Choose your gearsModern bikes can have up to 30 gears. The idea is to provide a wide range so that you can ride up or down anything comfortably. If you’ll only be riding on flat roads you don’t need a mountain bike’s super-low gears, but if you have to tackle hills you can’t have too low a gear.

Most gear systems use derailleurs – mechanisms that move the chain around the sprockets. Hub gears – offering from 3 to 14 gears – are enjoying a comeback on practical bikes. Operated by a handlebar control, they’re heavier than derailleurs, but clean and easy to use.

Some riders ride singlespeeds – bikes with just one gear. These are great in flat areas, and off-road versions provide a challenge for experienced mountain bikers.

The ultimate super-simple urban bike is the fixed-gear bike. This is a singlespeed with no freewheel: if the bike is moving you have to pedal.

This takes practice, but provides a unique feeling of being connected to the machine.

Get the right sizeBikes come in different frame

sizes to match your leg length. Bike size is quoted as the

length of the seat-tube (the frame part where the saddle is mounted) or in sizes from small to large.

Getting the size right is crucial. A bike that’s too large

will be ungainly and possibly unsafe; too small and you won’t be able to get the saddle high enough for comfortable pedalling.

You should be able to stand over the frame of with your feet flat on the floor and a few centimetres’ clearance between your body and the bike. You need more clearance if you’ve chosen a mountain bike and you’re going to ride it off road.

You should be able to raise the saddle so you have a comfortable reach to the pedals with your knee just shy of straight when the pedal is at the bottom. The tube supporting the saddle will have a mark to indicate its maximum safe extension.

Frame size doesn’t just indicate how tall the bike is. As frames get bigger, they also get longer, so if a bike is the wrong size, the reach to the bars will be too short or too long. It’s tempting to go for a small mountain bike frame to maximise clearance, but this proportionality means you may find a small bike is too short and the bars too low.

Suspension questionMountain bikes intended for off-road use have shock-absorbing systems. Bikes with suspension forks are known as hardtails, while bikes with front and rear suspension are called full or dual suspension bikes. Some cheaper mountain bikes and hybrids also have suspension forks. Unfortunately, inexpensive suspension systems add weight and complexity, so it’s best to steer clear of them unless you’re spending over £500 or so.

Take a test rideThere’s no substitute for a spin round the block to get a feel for the fit and handling of your potential new bike. Expect to leave security with the shop: a credit card, other proof of identity or the bike’s value in cash.

Above: Ensure you get the right bike for your riding

Right: It’s true for bikes too – size really does matter

OYB01.buying.indd 27 7/13/12 12:13 PM

OYB01.ad_radar.indd 28 7/13/12 12:29 PM

New bike round-up / Bikes


29

Boardman Team Carbon | £1299 This widely available bike is one of

the cheapest carbon road bikes you can buy – and has a carbon seatpost for extra comfort. It’s exceptionally light, incredibly quick, stiff in all the right places and good enough for your first race. Great handling, decent wheels and high quality Shimano and FSA components complete an impressive package.www.halfords.com

SPEC | WEIGHT 8.25kg FRAME T700 carbon fibre, all-carbon fork

Saracen Urban X1 | £369

The British company Saracen describes its Urban X1 – a new UK-designed bike for 2012 – as a “fast rolling urban bike with the addition of front suspension”. The combination of female-specific saddle, large diameter 700C wheels, chunky tyres and front suspension should make for a plush ride, while the three chainrings and 8-speed rear derailleur provide an impressively wide range of gears – high enough for a good speed on the flat, low enough for when the going gets hilly. V-brakes will make for safe stopping on the descents. Shimano supplies most of the kit, Suntour the suspension fork.

There’s a men’s version of the X1 without the step-through frame, while the £459 X2 has the same gearing but hydraulic disc brakes.www.saracen.co.uk

SPEC | WEIGHT 14.6kg FRAME 6061 aluminium, Suntour 75mm travel fork

Urban X1CITY SLICKER

CARBON ROAD BIKE

OYB01.bikes.indd 29 7/13/12 12:16 PM

Bikes \ New bike round-up


3030

Available in women’s and men’s models, the Townie is a practical, er, town bike. It’s got seven gears, balloon tyres for comfort and a kickstand so it won’t fall over. www.electrabikes.co.uk

This great value steel-framed machine can be run fixed or with a freewheel – just flip the rear wheel. Wide tyres are comfortable, the riding position ideal for city streets.www.raleigh.co.uk

ELECTRA TOWNIE 7D | £459

Ridgeback Flight 02 | £749.99 Wide-ranging gears make the

Flight 02 a practical bike for varied riding conditions, the wide 28mm tyres keep things comfy while Shimano’s hydraulic disc brakes are not only great stoppers in all conditions – but disc brakes ensure longer wheel life too. This is great if you’re racking up lots of stop-start urban commuting miles. The Flight 02 also has a carbon fork, which will be appreciably more comfortable than aluminium. www.ridgeback.co.uk

SPEC | WEIGHT 10.9kg FRAME 6061 heat treated aluminium, carbon fork

RALEIGH FLYER | £250

The 20 is the dearest and best equipped of the three Equilibrium bikes. It has a high-end Reynolds steel frame, carbon fork and quality Shimano 105 components.www.genesisbikes.co.uk

GENESIS EQUILIBRIUM | £1299

FAST FLAT BAR

OYB01.bikes.indd 30 7/13/12 12:16 PM

Bikes \ New bicycle round-up


32

Specialized didn’t get to be one of the biggest bike companies in the world without making very good bikes – whether for the road or trail.

Its 2012 Camber Expert costs two grand but the quality of the ride that it offers and of the kit that adorns it make this a hugely entertaining trail bike that represents pretty good value. The RockShox front fork offers 120mm of trail, while the Fox rear shock has three compression levels.

Specialized’s own Ground Control tyres have ample grip. The Camber’s long front and short rear make it easy to manual and drop off ledges, with a playful

feel that you can’t help but enjoy. Its low ride height helps when you’re railing through sweepers and berms too. Aggressive corner-takers will want to use the ProPedal damping for a more solid carving edge.

It has a larger diameter – thus stiffer and more efficient – bottom bracket than the 2011 Camber. The overall weight is very impressive for the money – helped by a set of quality lightweight wheels – and this trail-happy bike looks the part too.www.specialized.com

SPEC | WEIGHT 12.2kg FRAME M5 aluminium with

Fox Triad shock, Rock Shox 120mm travel fork

Flat bar-fun from Somerset’s Charge Bikes. This has Shimano’s 11-speed hub gears, mudguards and hydraulic disc brakes. A top-notch city bike.www.chargebikes.com

CHARGE MIXER | £1199

Stylish steel-framed singlespeed designed for the hustle and bustle of the urban environment. Stripped-down set-up minimises potential mechanical gremlins.www.evanscycles.com

FUJI FEATHER | £549

Classic continental elegance, full-length mudguards, 3-speed gears, a sprung saddle and a city-friendly sit-up-and-beg riding position. www.electrabikes.co.uk

ELECTRA AMSTERDAM | £559

Specialized Camber Expert | £2000

HIGH-END OFF-ROADER

OYB01.bikes.indd 32 7/13/12 12:16 PM

New bike round-up / Bikes


33

The new-kid-on-the-folding-block Kansi has created one of the easiest folding bikes available. There are two hinges – one in the middle of the frame, the other at the front. To open them, press in the locking button and pull open the lever of the hinge. And that’s it. Unfolding is even easier, the hinges over-centring themselves and locking into place without you having to touch them.

But where the Kansi really scores is its ride quality – it rides like a non-folding bike. There’s no mushiness, just all-round good performance and handling, plus a coaster (back-pedal) brake. This is a singlespeed, but there’s also a 3-speed hub gear model for £699.99 and a 9-speed derailleur model for £849. www.kansi.co.uk

SPEC | WEIGHT 10.4kg FRAME 6061 aluminium

Quality entry-level bike borrows from Specialized’s suspension bike technology to create extra standover height. A very capable and good-looking trail machine.www.specialized.com

With its top-notch kit it’s hard to fault the Pro’s balance of speed and comfort. Quick and responsive, it’s a flat-bar favourite that’s ideal for commuting or training.www.halfords.com

SPECIALIZED MYKA ELITE | £600

BOARDMAN PERFORMANCE HYBRID PRO | £999

Kansi 1 Twenty | £525FANTASTIC FOLDER

Well-specced aluminium hardtail mountain bike with RockShox front forks, hydraulic disc brakes and excellent kit from Shimano, Ritchey and Schwalbe.www.scott-sports.com

SCOTT SCALE 60 | £999

OYB01.bikes.indd 33 7/13/12 12:16 PM

ROUTEDistance: 3 milesTime: 45 minutes Notes: Gates to Sutton Park

open at 9am throughout the year. Closing times vary in line with dusk (ranging from 5pm in the winter to 10pm in the summer). Requires a bike

suitable for riding off-road

DIRECTIONS With the visitor

centre on your left, at Palace Hill, take left- hand fork, then keep on the right-hand path. See a ford and Wyndley Pool on your left and continue straight ahead through Hollyhurst.2 At the fork go sharp

right, then left at fork, up to a crossroads and turn left. At the

junction by Flying Field turn right and follow the path.3 Continue along the

path, gently climbing to the Jamboree Memorial Stone, turning right here. 4 Now gently cycle

downhill past Keeper’s Pool on your left. 5 Go through a metal

gate and follow the path back towards the

Visitor Centre.

ROUTEDistance: 8.7milesTime: 1.5 hrs each way.Notes: Suitable for all abilities. Hire bikes from

many locations, offered by Hourbike

DIRECTIONS Begin by the North

Pier and head north (sea on your left), past the Cenotaph. Whenever possible keep to the off-road cycle paths, enabling you to cycle safely without the worry of traffic.2 Pass Gynn Square

and continue past the 3 Jubilee Gardens,

looking out for Red Bank Road if you require refreshments.

After passing the Marine Hall and then the YMCA Leisure Centre the route comes to a natural end when it meets the Esplanade road again.

Get a sense of wilderness within an urban area at Sutton Park

A seaside escape with all the fun of the fair

Ride Guide \ Cycle routes and maps


34

Location Details Sutton Park is a National Nature reserve and is ideal for new riders wanting to get off the roads, and delivers a sense of wilderness within an urban environment. This medieval hunting park has a wide network of paths throughout its 2,400 acres, providing a range of leisure activities, refreshments, play area and cycle paths. There are cattle grazing (to the south) and Exmoor ponies (to the north). Toilets are found at Town Gate entrance, Visitor Centre and Banners Gate.

How to get there Sutton Visitor Centre is six miles north of Birmingham city centre. The route starts at the Visitor Centre (tel 0121 355 6370) near the main Town Gate entrance of the park, 0.5km northwest of Sutton Coldfield centre, 6.5km north of junction 5 off the M6.

Location Details This very pleasant, mostly traffic-free ride heads north along the seafront, starting by the North Pier, near the Blackpool Tower and Aquarium. Along the way, not only will you experience wonderful views, but you are also close to Jubilee Gardens, public art, pitch and putt courses and a swimming centre at the end to cool down in.

How to get there Parking is available off West Street (take care, though, if you’ve got a larger vehicle, as there is a 6ft 6in height restriction in operation), just inland from the North Pier, postcode FY1 1HA. Alternatively you can cycle along the NCN.62 route towards Blackpool Tower on the coast, which is by the North Pier.

Birmingham Sutton Park

Blackpool North Pier to Fleetwood

Jamboree Memorial Stone

Visitor centre

Start/Finish

Start from the NorthPier and keep thesea on your left…

Keeper’s Pool

Leisure centre andminiature golf course

Would you believe it?

Birmingham has 35miles (56km) of canals within the city, which is more

than Venice

2

3

4

5

Gynn Square

NorthPier

Red Bank Road

2

3

Anchorsholme Park

Jubilee Gardens

BIR

MIN

GH

AM

PH

OT

O: B

IRM

ING

HA

M C

ITY

CO

UN

CIL

. BL

AC

KP

OO

L P

HO

TO

: SU

ST

RA

NS

. BO

LTO

N P

HO

TO

: BO

LTO

N C

OU

NC

IL. E

DIN

BU

RG

H P

HO

TO

: SU

ST

RA

NS

.

OYB01.ride_guide.indd 34 7/13/12 12:18 PM

ROUTEDistance: 6.2miles each wayTime: 1 hr each way. Notes: Suitable for most bikes

and young children

DIRECTIONS The trail largely follows

the NCN 6 route which is well signposted and easy to navigate – in both directions. Heading south will take you into Manchester city centre. Heading north, as we do, takes you towards Bury, 10km along a traffic-free trail. 1km into the ride join tarmac for 200m then left at bottom of Buckley Lane, then right after 100m to re-join the off-road track.2 Cross the M60 via a

footbridge and continue along the old East Lancashire Railway,

eventually crossing a large, traffic-free bridge to the end of this route, with retail park ahead for refreshments, before retracing your tyre tracks, to the start.

ROUTEDistance: 6.2milesTime: 1 hr each way.Notes: Mostly downhill

outbound and uphill

coming back

DIRECTIONS Start by following

the road around Holyrood Park, anti-clockwise.2 Turn right at the

roundabout, and right at the next roundabout, then right on into East Parkside, then first right and immediately right again on a driveway, down to the Innocent Railway tunnel – slightly downhill and dark!

3 Pass Duddingston Loch, following NCN.1 signposts, east, along a tree-lined path and then cycle track beside the Niddrie Burn.4 There are steps

over the railway bridge by Brunstane Station or a track and road round the back of the superstore to avoid them. Cross Brunstane Road, onto Diaches Braes, keeping ahead, off-road along the Brunstane Burn path, to the coast.

Retrace your steps, but turn 5 right in Holyrood Park, at the 2nd roundabout, on Queen’s Drive road, back to the car park.

The Great Green Divide – 10km of traffi c-free cycling along the Irwell Sculpture Trail

Escape from the heart of the city with a ride through Holyrood Park and along the Innocent Railway

Cycle routes and maps / Ride Guide

ISSUE 01 | ON YOUR BIKEFind your local ride at www.goskyride.com

35

Location Details The Irwell Trail largely uses the old East Lancashire Railway line, providing an excellent, traffic-free trail, which links a host of cultural attractions from art galleries and museums to the East Lancashire Railway. It is the largest trail of its kind in the UK, stretching 53km (33m) from Salford Quays in Manchester to Bacup, with over 70 pieces of art from renowned local, national and international artists along the way. Note: You cannot cycle all of the Trail.

How to get there Parking is available on the A667 road between Kearsley and Whitefield, or you can ride out from Moses Gate Country Park, along the Greater Manchester Cycle Route.

Location Details In the centre of the windswept Holyrood Park, visible from around the city, is Arthur’s Seat, a hill over 800ft high. There are things to do and see around this Royal Park, including Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh’s royal residence, and the Royal Commonwealth Pool is just down the road from the park entrance.

How to get there There are several places that you can begin the ride. You can start from the car park on the east side of Holyrood Park near Dunsapie Loch, Queen’s Road. Alternatively you can start from St Leonard’s Bank, Newington, near the Royal Commonwealth Pool (www.thecommiepool.co.uk), southwest of the park.

Bolton Irwell Sculpture Trail

Edinburgh Innocent Railway

2

4

5

3

2

Stone me! You won’tbe able to miss some of the art on the Trail

You won’t need the sunnies in the 320-metre long tunnel

Shops at end of ride

Holyrood Park

Engine Shed Café

Innocent Railway tunnel

Brunstane Train station

P

P


ROUTE There are three

circuits for riders of different skill levels.

Time: 30 minutes

DIRECTIONS1 Green: 0.3 miles

The Green Circuit provides an introduction to mountain biking, fine for beginners and children, with a gentle ride in the woods. 2 Blue: 6.2 miles

The Blue Circuit uses hillier terrain and varied surfaces, and the chance to get your wheels off the ground if you so wish. 3 Red: 0.9 miles

The Red Circuit provides the more challenging, rougher terrain, singletrack and obstacles, for more advanced riders. There are also some Black graded sections which you can opt to do, or you can just stick to the main trail.

Mountain bike trails for all in the heart of the city

Cycle to the coast, along a beautiful and traffi c-free disused railway line

ROUTEDistance: 13 milesTime:1-2 hours each way.

DIRECTIONS Start Dansom Lane

2 The trail is very easy to follow once you are on it, and is well signposted, along a traffic-free trail, although there are some road crossings along the way. 3 The Railway Inn near

the old station in Ellerby provides a good refreshment stop.

Hornsea offers plenty of refreshments, and you can include a dip in the North Sea at the end of your journey.



36

Location Details The Park is Glasgow’s only country park, which was part of the Old Pollok Estate and ancestral home of the Maxwell family, Pollok House. The park provides extensive woodlands and gardens for a quiet sanctuary for both visitors and wildlife and is also home the world famous Burrell Collection of art.

How to get there The park is located in the southwest of the city just three miles from the city centre. It can be reached by bike via National Cycle Routes 7 and 75. Alternatively, you can take your bike on the train to Pollokshaws West station on the Glasgow Central to Barrhead and East Kilbride lines, and the park is within 5 minutes ride of Shawlands and Pollokshaws East stations on the Cathcart Circle line.

The main access to the park is via the Pollokshaws Road entrance. Pedestrian access is also available from Dumbreck Road and from the Glasgow to Irvine Cycle Way from Corkerhill.

Location Details Once you leave Hull, the route is along very quiet and peaceful trails, enabling you to get away from everything. At the end, Hornsea Mere, the largest freshwater lake in Yorkshire offers a beautiful and relaxing place to finish – or there’s the bustle of the beach and cafés available on the coast and a bracing dip in the sea for the brave…

How to get there Start from Dansom Lane, off Clarence Street/Holderness Road (the A165), just east of Hull city centre and the bridge over the River Hull (grid reference 108/300) or halfway along the route at the picnic spot on the A165 just south of Skirlaugh. The end is by Hornsea police station (grid ref 206/475).Glasgow Pollok Park

Hull to Hornsea

Burrell Collection

Pollok House

Train station

1

2

3

Long rider The Humber Bridge is the largest single-span bridge in the world that

you can walk and cycle across

3

2

P

The three different circuits offer varying

levels of difficulty

Get away from the city with a quietride to the seaside

GL

AS

GO

W P

HO

TO

: GL

AS

GO

W C

ITY

CO

UN

CIL

. HU

LL

PH

OT

O: H

UL

L C

ITY

CO

UN

CIL

.


GEORGE, JUST LOOKING COOL!AVANTI BLACK THUNDER

MUM, EXPERIENCED RIDER3 YEARS

AVANTI ARIA

JOSH, GETTING STARTED!AVANTI LIL RIPPER

RidetheAvantiway

KIWI DESIGNED & ENGINEERED SINCE 1985

Avanti Bikes are exclusively distributed in the UK by www.paligap.cc

/paligap.cc

www.paligap.cc by UK the in distributed exclusively are Bikes Avanti www.paligap.cc by UK the in distributed exclusively are Bikes Avanti

/paligap.cc

PROUD SPONSORS OF THE 1 SOUTH WEST BRISTOL MTB TRAILS

FIND YOUR LOCAL STOCKIST AT PALIGAP.CC

ROUTEDistance: 4.6 milesTime: 1-1.5 hoursNotes: Very little climbing Suitable for all

abilities

DIRECTIONS You can cycle as

much or as little of the trails as you like. We’ve started this route from the southern (Melton Avenue) car park, headed over to the lakeside and followed the track around, joining with NCN.6. 2 The next section

circles King Lear’s Lake and returns on the other side3 with an optional leg

northwards, to the northern car parks and park entrance and the Hope & Anchor pub on Wanlip Road. 4 Return to the first

lake via the NCN.6 route and pass around the other side of the lake, to return to the car park/start.

ROUTEDistance: 8 milesTime: 1-2 hours each way.Notes: Please note that

cyclists cannot ride on the track north of Lemons Hill Bridge. Follow the track all the way around, back to

the start. Hilly in places and

during the winter can also be muddy

DIRECTIONS Start at Alton Water

Visitor Centre. The track for pedestrians and cyclists goes around the reservoir – it’s signed and very easy to follow.

Traffi c-free lakeside riding

A circuit around the big reservoir will



38

Location Details The southernmost of the Park’s dozen lakes has a large statue of a mammoth beside it, built to commemorate the discovery of ice-age mammoth remains found when Watermead was a quarry. There is also a Dinosaur Play Trail around King Lear’s Lake, featuring a rib-cage climbing frame and more for children to explore. A two-storey hide has been built for bird-watching.

How to get there Just 5 miles north of Leicester city centre, and is easy to find with the brown tourist signs leading you to either the north (off the A46) or south (off the A607) entrances and car parks. You can also cycle there along the NCN.6 route, following the River Soar.

Location Details There is lots of wildlife especially in the winter, and new conservation zones and bird hides have been built to view it from. You may catch sight of a kingfisher if you’re lucky, and this summer an osprey even put in an appearance at Alton Water. Water sports such as windsurfing and sailing are on offer, and there is a café at the visitor centre.

How to get there Stutton car park, off the B1080 at Alton Water Park, between Stutton and Holbrook, is close to all the area’s attractions and facilities. Parking costs £3 per day at peak times and just £2 per day off-peak. You can buy an annual car parking permit for £35 from the café.

Leicester Watermead

Ipswich Alton Water

Dam

Viewpoint

Viewpoint

Bird Hide

The White Horse pub

Bird Hide

Marina

P

P

P

P

2

4

3

Hope & Anchor pub

Go wild! Wildlife includes

kingfishers, skylarks, linnets, wildfowl, barn

owls, snakes, voles, shrews and er, snails

It’s not Alton Towers but there are plentyof rides to enjoy

It’s a child-friendly route but watch outfor stray mammoths

Visitor Centre

IPSW

ICH

PH

OT

O: A

LTO

N C

YC

LE

HIR

E. L

EIC

EST

ER

PH

OT

O: S

US

TR

AN

S.


Tech: 7005 Aluminium and forks with‘Dynamism’ custom tubing.Mid ratio Shimano 24 speed gearset.Double wall alloy wheels with VittoriaRandonneur puncture resistant tyres.Tektro RX3 Mini V-brakes.

Sizes: Mens: 18"/20"/22"Women:16"/18"

RRP £449.99

Discovery 401

Our heritage and quality of service speaks for itself and with a model to suitevery pocket and an extensive dealer network to back up your riding experiencemake sure you look at Dawes.

View our complete range of bikes and accessories or find your nearest localretailer at www.dawescycles.com

3

ROUTEDistance: 2.8 miles around the lakes, or 4.6 miles with the southern loopTime: 1 and 2 hours respectively.Notes: There is very little

climbing involved on either route.

DIRECTIONS Head down

towards the lake and follow the track around to the

left-hand side, bearing left under the road by Siemens House to the northern lake and through the park.2 The Nipponzan

Myohoji (Japanese temple) is on the left as you enter here. 3 Continue past the

bandstand and follow the lake around to the right, and back around the southern lake to the start.4 Alternatively, go

ahead at the X-tracks

(signed Ouzel Valley), under the road and turn right, alongside the River. Just after the allotments, turn right and keep ahead to the canal and turn right alongside this. Follow this until bridge 81b and turn right, following signs for Willen Lake.5 Alternatively, here,

turn left to go to Campbell Park and/or the shopping centre just beyond the park.

ROUTEDistance: 8.7miles and northern loop adds 1.3 miles.Time: 1-2 hours Notes: Neither route has

much climbing at all.

DIRECTIONS Turn left out the

car park on Rifle Road Pass over Jackson’s Bridge, turn right alongside the River Mersey to Chorlton Water Park and bear around to the left of this along the cycle route. Continue along the cycle route, beside the River Mersey again, and follow the cycle route crossing the M60. 2 Continue on the

cycle route parallel to the motorway

3 Crossing Palatine Road, along the one-way system, follow the TPT signs. Pass Northenden Weir and join Mill Lane then Boat Lane, then left of Ford Lane, passing underneath the M60 motorway. 4 Cross the river on

Simon’s Bridge and turn left, following the riverside track as it meanders back to Chorlton Water Park. Keep ahead and return along the same track as before, turning left over Jackson’s Bridge, back to the car park.5 Alternatively,

there is an additional loop from Jackson’s Bridge, around Chorlton Ees.

A circular Merseyside meander along the Trans Pennine Trail

2

4

5



40

Allotments

Location Details Jackson’s Boat Inn, at the start, has food and drink and a play area for children (www.jacksonsboat.co.uk). Along the route, Sale and Chorlton Water Parks, formed in the 1970s when gravel extracted was used for the motorway, now provide a habitat for wildlife, flora and fauna, as well as fishing and sailing. Birdlife includes teal, buzzards, kestrels, lapwings, herons, jays and more.

How to get there Start from the Mersey Valley Visitor Centre in Sale Water Park just off the M60 at junction 6. Alternatively, start from Simon’s Bridge at the opposite end of the ride, where there is a carpark, or East Didsbury train station which is just 1.5km east.

Enjoy a city ride along miles of traffi c-free, tree-lined tracks

Location Details There is a café, playgrounds and Gulliver’s Land Theme Park at the start, and Campbell park, to the west, is a lovely park to relax in with plenty of shops just beyond. The northern Willen Lake is peaceful with wildfowl, a Peace Pagoda temple, labyrinth and old village, while the southern lake is the main watersports area. The southern side also has an Aerial Extreme ropes course.

How to get there You can cycle to the start, along the NCN route numbers 6 and 51, which also form part of this ride. Alternatively there is parking by Willen Lake. From the M1, exit at junction14, go south on the A509, right at the first roundabout then left at the 2nd roundabout – the car park is on the left.

Milton Keynes Willen Lake

Manchester Mersey Valley

P

P

P

P

Chorlton Water Park

Palatine Road

Ford Lane

Visitor Centre

Sale Water Park

Model Aircraft area

Café & PlaygroundGulliver’s

Theme Park

Ouzel Valley

Siemens House

Shops

Café

X-Tracks

Park

Nipponzan Myohoji

Bridge 81b

On track The National Cycle

Centre is home to an Olympic Velodrome. A huge new BMX centre

opens in 2012

Pub (Jackson’s Boat Inn)

2

3

4

5

Within a few miles of Manchester and not a vehicle in sight

MA

NC

HE

STE

R P

HO

TO

: ST

EV

E A

LA

ND

/MA

RK

ET

ING

MA

NC

HE

ST

ER

.


Cycle Know-how \ Bike food


4242

There’s a vast array of sports nutrition products out there – we round up the best on the market

1 SIS GO ENERGY BAR Inside the hi-tech style packaging is a wholesome tasting bar with lots of fruity bits. Sweet, moist and sticky. 2 HONEY STINGER Contains over 30% honey, plus 22 vitamins and minerals. A much less gooey bar than you would think. 3 HIGH 5 ENERGY BAR The most sugar of any bar on our test. Tastes more like a cake than a cereal bar. Very sweet and moist. 4 MAXIFUEL VIPER BOOST Coated in dark chocolate, this bars contains 139 mg of caffeine and amino acids. Less

sweet than most, with a real stimulant kick. 5 GET BUZZING Full of natural ingredients, this tasted more like a regular flapjack. Sweet, crunchy and nutty. 6 MAXIFUEL VIPER ACTIVE Packed with oats, this bar keeps hunger at bay. With real fruit, it’s part of your five-a-day! Dry, crunchy and sweet. 7 HIGH 5 4:1 ADVANCED TRAINING BAR Contains a 4:1 ratio of carb and protein, which aims to give you more muscle power. Tastes quite like Christmas cake.

1 SIS GO ISOTONIC ENERGY Being isotonic, this gel contains similar proportions of sugar and salt to those naturally occurring in the body. 2 MAXIFUEL VIPER ACTIVE A blend of four different types of sugar. Also contains electrolytes. 3 HIGH 5 ENERGY GEL+ Contains real fruit juice, salts, carbs and caffeine to give you a turbo

boost. 4 CNP PRO ENERGY MAX Packed with carbs, caffeine, guarana and electrolytes. The only gel on test that doesn’t contain sugar. 5 GU ENERGY GEL Made from real dark chocolate. Also contains caffeine, vitamins and calcium. 6 ACCEL GEL This milk-based gel has the most sugars in our test. It’s also the only one to contain protein.

Protein power

Certain energy products contain proteins as well

as carbs. Studies indicate that a carb/protein mix

aids performance

ENERGY BARSAn energy bar is like a cereal bar or flapjack. However, they tend to be made of simpler sugars so that they can be easily digested. They can also stave off hunger pangs.

ENERGY DRINKSAn energy drink will provide you not only with the simple sugars that will help keep you going during exercise, but water too. They will quite often also contain electrolytes, which will help your body retain the fluid you are taking in during exercise.

ENERGY GELSGels provide a hit of digestible carbs and nutrients. You’ll feel the benefits more quickly than a bar and they’ll help rehydrate you.

Ride longerStay hydrated

Whatever you drink while riding, it’s essential that you take on lots of

fluids. Look to drink 500-750ml per hour

OYB01.nutrition.indd 42 7/13/12 12:16 PM

For every stage in lifethere’s Vitabiotics

Because we are all different, one size doesn’t fit allAs we move through life our nutritional requirements change, so why take an ordinary multivitamin whenthere is a supplement tailored to your specific needs? The award-winning Vitabiotics wellness range offerscomprehensive nutritional support from sensible, balanced formulae. With 40 years’ experience, there is nosupplement range for specific life stages more relied on than Vitabiotics.

The UK’s No.1 range for specific life stages

AD

MIX

1CO

NP

13-0

6-12

From , Superdrug, Holland & Barrett,Lloydspharmacy, GNC, supermarkets, health stores,independent pharmacies & www.vitabiotics.comVitamin supplements may benefit those with nutritionally inadequate diets.† Professor Beckett is not cited in the capacity of a health professional,but as a product inventor and former Chairman of Vitabiotics.

Cycle Know-how \ Fix that flat


4444

Removing the tube Let the air out and push the valve into the tyre. On the side opposite the valve, slip a tyre lever under the bead and another 5cm away. Pull the nearer one towards you, lifting the bead over the edge. Continue until one bead is free. Pull tube out and remove tyre.

Preparing the tubeSelect the correct sized patch – bigger rather than smaller if in doubt. Roughen the area around the hole with emery paper, flattening any moulding marks. Apply one drop of glue and spread thinly with your finger around the hole. Allow to touch dry.

Inflating the tubeInflate the tube and listen for air. Passing the surface of the tube over the lips may help. If you still can’t find the hole, re-inflate and pass the tube through a bowl of water until you spot bubbles. Dry the tube before step 3.

Patching the tubeApply a second thin layer of glue. Allow to dry – the glue will turn matt. Inflate slightly to highlight the hole. Press patch into place after removing foil (cellophane can be left on). Dust with chalk/talc/road dust to prevent it sticking to tyre.

Refitting the tyreRefit one bead to the rim. Slightly inflate and refit to the rim, valve in first. Starting opposite the valve, use your thumbs to lift the bead over rim. When one small section is left, push valve into tyre and ease remaining bead over rim.

Checking the casingBefore refitting the tube, check the tyre from inside for the cause of your puncture. Placing the tube over the tyre will help you find the puncture’s position. Run fingertips carefully around the inside of the tyre to feel for the cause of the puncture and remove.

Making final checksCheck that the tube is not trapped. Inflate to where the tyre feels soft but has kept its shape. Check that its moulding mark follows the rim evenly. If not, deflate a little and ease any high spots down and pull low spots up. Inflate and check bead is still seated evenly. Finally, check that the tread is running straight. If not, deflate and start again from the beginning of this step.

Mending a punctureIf you ride a bike, occasional punctures are a fact of life. Fortunately, fi xing them is a relatively quick and simple aff air

You will need: Puncture repair kit Plastic tyre levers Bowl of water Ballpoint pen

Which valve? Inner-tubes have one of two valves – Schrader or Presta. A Schrader is the same as on a car tyre, a Presta is thinner and the threaded tip must be loosened before you pump air.

SchraderPresta

OYB01.repairs.indd 44 7/13/12 12:18 PM

see you... on the streets

FindCycle Surgery onFacebook

andTwitter for upto

date newsanddeals

CycleSurgery ispartof theSnow+Rockgroupof companies, comprising:Snow+Rock,CycleSurgeryandRunnersNeed

Theworld’s best brands andpassionate cyclists in every store

www.cyclesurgery.com 0800 298 8898

28 stores across theUK& Irelandincluding12 locatedwithinSnow+Rocksuperstores

News: New stores now openat Southwark Bridge,Fulham, Wandsworthand Waterloo Bridge.

Cycle Know-how \ Go further


46

Where else to goOur pick of the best organisations, websites and magazines to help expand your knowledge and love of cycling

ORGANISATIONSBritish CyclingThe National Governing Body for cycling in the UK, its main aim is to get all of us cycling!www.britishcycling.org.uk

SkyThrough its sponsorship of British Cycling and its racing team, Sky has made a huge commitment to cycling. At the grass roots, this shows up as Sky Rides – which you know all about! Last year over 200,000 took part and they are even bigger this year. Sky Ride Locals are a great intro to cycling.www.goskyride.com

CTCCTC has been standing up for cyclists’ rights since 1878. Now boasts 70,000 members. Members can use their Helpline, join local groups and participate in local and national events and more.www.ctc.org.uk

SustransA charity that aims to promote sustainable transport. In 2000 Sustrans set up the National Cycle Network, currently standing at 10,000 miles.www.sustrans.org.uk

London Cycling CampaignSet up in 1978 to lobby for London cyclists. Members receive free third party insurance, legal advice, theft insurance, a magazine and a 15% discount in 120 bike shops.www.lcc.org.uk

Audax UKOversees the organisation of the non-competitive rides known as brevets or randonees where riders try to complete the distance within a certain time.www.aukweb.net

WEBSITESwww.

cycletraining.co.ukInformation for newbies on

training as well as helpful advice on cycle maintenance.

www.bikeradar.comWith sections on every type of cycling, this is a great all-in-one site which is as friendly to beginners as it is to pro cyclists.

www.bike-events.comExtensive list of upcoming organised cycling events.

www.cyclingnews.comThe number one website for professional cycling race results, info, interviews and news.

www.cycle-route.comA handy database of all the tried-and-tested cycle routes in the world. Ideal for planning a cycling holiday, or a local weekend.

www.cycle-n-sleep.co.ukA site for those planning long-distance UK cycle rides. There are even details about cycle-friendly accommodation along the way.

www.dft.gov.uk/bikeabilityA perfect way to introduce your child to the joys of cycling.

MAGAZINESCycling PlusCycling Plus is packed with expert reviews of the latest road bikes and gear, routes and rides from the UK and around the world, features that take you inside every aspect of cycling and nutrition, training advice to help you get the best from yourself and your bike.www.cyclingplus.co.uk

ProcyclingProcycling brings you the colour, action and drama of the world’s most spectacular sport in a glossy magazine. With exclusive features and photos, Procycling brings to life the complexities, rivalries and hardships of professional cycling.www.procycling.com

Mountain Biking UKMBUK concentrates on mountain biking in all its aspects. It has all the news about the latest kit and exclusive info on the newest and best bikes. It’s not just for the MTB hardcore as the mag aims to get newcomers up and riding. www.mbuk.com

What Mountain BikeWhat Mountain Bike is for all cross-country and trail riders. It shows readers what to ride, where to ride and how to ride.www.whatmountainbike.com

3500 Competitive cycling

events take place in the UK each year

A Sky Ride could be the first step into making

cycling part of your life.

PH

OT

O: G

ET

TY

IMA

GE

S

OYB01.more.indd 46 7/13/12 12:19 PM

KIDS ADULTS

MTB ROAD COMMUTE BMX

FreeUKand Ireland delivery

World’s largest online bikestore

Best brands I Best products I Best prices

www.chainreactioncycles.com

CYCLE EVERYWEAR

Stratos Pack JacketThis ultra-lightweight, showerproof and breathable packableshell jacket is the perfect companion for any British cyclist.

· Packs down into your rear pocket or saddlebag· 10,000mm waterproof shell fabric keeps the weather at bay· Underarm and back mesh venting stop you from over heating· Soft touch fleece lined collar helps keep out elements· Subtle and stylish reflective print for added visibility· Rear pocket features an audio port to wire in your iPod· Available in Hi-Viz Yellow, Semi-Transparent White, Black & Red· Limited lifetime warranty

Visit www.madison.cc or scan the QR code to find yournearest stockist >

On Your Bike

Documents

Transcript of On Your Bike